Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



June 24, 1930. .1; F. OCONNOR FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM June 24, 1930. J. F. OCONNOR FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM Filed May 12. 1928 2 sheets-sheqt Patented June 24, 1 930 JOHN ooon NoR, or ciiieneo;rumors,

H js A-ssrenon 'ro w. H. MINER, r voaon' our; .oAGo; ILLINOIS, A eoB ORarIon or DELAWARE I 1 j. En gma snooK-ABsonBinG:mnenlmisivr This invention relates to improvements; in fr1ct1onishock absorbing mechanisms.

One objectoftheinvention is to provide a friction shockabsorbi'ng mechanism, in-

5 cl'udingia friction shell andfriction elements cooperating therewith, wherein'the 'shell is reinforced agalnst outward spreading by a band or housing of metalof exceptional Strength yP venangeamage to the, shell. 5 1

7 Another object of the invention is topro- Vide a reinforcing band forthe shell of a friction shock absorbing mechanism of the character indicated, wherein the reinforcing band also functions as aretaining means for holding the friction means which cooperates with the shell asseinbled With the latter.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a friction 'shoclrabsorbing mechanism,

including a'spring cage provided with a fric 'tion shell section having two opposed, interior friction surfaces and two inactive interior surfaces, movable friction-elements cooperating with the shellfa pair of friction shoes, laterally displaceable friction members held-against longitudinal -movement, interposed between the shoes and'the movable friction elements, and a wedge member cooper ating with the friction shoes, wherein the 1 movable friction elements and shoes are held specification, Figure 1 is "a horizontal, longitud nahsectional View of a portionof the underf-rame structure of a railway car, illustrating'my improvements in connection therewith. Figure Zisafront end elevational' view of the friction shockabsorbing mechaproper "of my'improvements. Figure- S is a transverse, vertical, sectional vieW',-'cor'- Yresponding substantially to the "line 8,8"0f

" Application Y filed May 12, i928};

am mi 277,265. v

Figure l. Figure 4: is a longitudinal, vertical, sectionalview of the frontend portion of the: friction shock absorbing mechanism,

corresponding substantially to the line l4='of a ,7 perspective views, respectlvely, ofa liner and Figure l. I AndFiguresS and 6 are detailed a frictionmember employed inconnefction wlth my lniprovements. I 1

connected to ahooded yoke l of well known form. [My imp'roved'shock absorbing'mech'- In said drawings, lO 1 0 indicate the usual center or draft sills of the railwaycar under frame, to the inner sides of which are secured anism proper and a front main follower 15 a l are disposed within the yoke; and 'theyolre is inturnsupported by, a-deta'chable saddle plate 16 secured to the bottom flange of the draft sills j 1 My improved friction shock absorbing mechanism includes, broadly, a casing A; a reinforcing band or housing' B;" a wedge block C; two friction shoes D; two relatively fixed friction member EE two movable friction elements 'F+F; a pair of liners G G; a spring follower H; and a mainj sprlng resistance, lncluding an inner co l J I a a i y v and an outer coil a i The casing A is of substantiallyrectangular box-like form, having horizontally disposed, spaced 'topand bottom lwalls 1-7-17, longitudinallydisposed, vertical, spaced side walls 18 18 and a transverse rear end wall 19; The end wall '19 cooperates-withthe'stop lugs 12 in the manner of the'usual rear follower. As clearly shown in- Figure l, the

side walls 18 of the c asingAare relatively I thick and are cut away on the outer sides at Thetop and f the forward end of the'casing. bottom'walls are also cut away at the outer ends. provides the friction shell section proper of the casing and is designated, by 20. The friction shell section 20 is also of substantially rectangularcross section and at the inner end thereof is provided with transversely disposed, interior, top and bottom abutment shoulders 21+21, for a' purpose hereinafter The cut-away portion of the casing f pointed out. I Rearwardly of the abutment shoulders 21, theiside walls of the casing are provided with lateral projections'-2222,

presenting front "abutment shoulders which are adapted to engage the inner endsof the liners G, I l r v The} reinforcing ban'd or hous ngiB IS in the form of a relatively heavy, rectangular,

box-like casing, open'at opposite ends and having longitudinally disposed, spaced-top and bottom walls'2323 andfve'rtical-l'y disposed, longitudinally extending, spaced side wallsi2 l2 l. 'The band B' is'telescoped eX- t'eriorly with the friction shell section of the casing and tightly fits the same, the inner ,end of the band abutting the transverse front end facesofthe side,'top andbottoin walls of the casing proper, The outer surfaces of the side, top and bottoinwalls of the friction shellsectionQO preferably taper slightly outwardly and the inner walls of the band C are tapered to correspond therewith, so that the bandwill have a" driving fit with the shell section 20. At theforwardend, the side walls of the band B .a'reprovided with inwardly extending, vertical flanges 2525which overhang thefroiit ends ofjthe side walls of the l Y friction shell 20. The top and bottom walls 7 of the band Bare also provided with inwardly extending flanges which overhang the opening ofthe friction shell 20 and form front retaining stops;

1.'Although thejband B is retained by the 1 driving fit which] it has with the friction shellQO, additional means may be employed for securing the ,band in position... In the present, instance, the additional -ret'aining' .,Ineans-comprises a plurality of pins 2626 disposed at the corners of theband and fixed cut away'at thecorners to provide lugs "28 iii openings 272Y, The casingis exteriorly which are perforated toreceive the pinsQG. The pinseXtend entirely through these lugs and are secured bv retainino' cotters 29- 29 a .u .Q

I which extend therethrough,

The wedge member C is in the form of a solid block, having @tltlBSYGl'SB, vertical front end face: whicl bears directly on v the inner side of the front follower 15. At the innerend, the wedge. ,isprovided'fwith a pair of wedge faces 3030 on the opposite sides thereof. is most cleariv shoivnin Figure l,

the inner end of the wedge provided with i top and bottom. projections presenting trans verse shoulders 3131 which cooperate with the flanges 25 of the bandB to limit outward movementv of the wedge and also retain the same assembled with the casing. I o

The friction shoes D, which are of similar design, are disposed atropposite sides of the wedgebl'ock C. EZtC'lllOf the friction shoesD is provided with a longitudinallydisposed outer'friction'surface 51 wvlrich cooperates withthe ad acent friction member -O'n the inner side, each friction: shoe is provided with a lateral enlargement having, a-wedge face 32 on the front side thereof, cooperating .with thewedge face 30 at the same side of the block C. At the inner end, each friction shoe is provided with a laterally outwardly projecting vertical flange 38 which cooperates with one of the friction elements to eife'ct inward movement of the same with the shoe,

as hereinafter pointed out.

The friction members E- are disposed" at opposite sides of the friction shoes. The two friction-members Eare of like design, each comprising a main plate-like section 34: provided with'jtop and bottom flanges 35- 35 projecting on opposite sides of the plate like -sect1on.-

c 7 As most clearly :shown 1n F1gure@6,vthe

flanges are. cut away at the forward end of the plate and project rearwardly beyond the inner end of the plate toan appreciable -eX-; tent. As most clearly shownin Figure 1, the friction surfaces on the innersides of the friction members which cooperate with the frict on surfaces 51 of the shoes, are preferably converged inwardly ofthe mechanism.

.The outer friction surfaces of t he friction members E are preferablydisposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mechanism. The top and bottom flanges 35 of the friction members E are adapted to fit between .-.the transverse flanges-25 of the band B and the shoulders 21 of the casing rr,tlierebyholcling the friction members against longitudinal movement with respect to the casing while permitting lateral displacement of'the same.

The liners G are disposedat opposite sides of the friction shell 20 and bear directly on the inner surfaces ofthe side wallsof the shell. As most clearly shown in Figure 5,

each liner comprises a plate like section provided with top and bottom flanges 36 36 which project laterally inwardly therefrom and are shorter than the platesectionr- The V flange-like sections 36 of the liners Glitsnugly between the flanges 25 0f theband B and the'shoulders 21 of the casing A, thereby holding the 'linersagainstlongitudinalmove ment. 'As hereinbefore pointed out, theinner ends of the plate-like sections of the liners G also hear on the transverse abutment Sh al-1 ders 22 of the casing.

' The movable friction elements F are disposed at opposite sides of the mechanism and are interposed between the friction members E a'nd the liners Each friction element F is in the form of a heavy rectangular plate like inembeigg presenting longitudinally dis 7 posed friction surfaces on the opposite sides thereof which cooperate-with the friction surfaces of the liners and the friction menibers E. At the inneriend, each friction element F is provided with a relatively heavy,

laterally inwardly projecting flange 37, which engages in back of the flange 33 of'the correspondingrfriction shoeiD. 'The flanges the outer coil K beinghe'avier than the inner on the spring followerH which as; frictionshbes 37-,by engagement with the flanges 83, cause rearward movement fofthe friction elements F in unison With the friction'shoes D.

Upon-reference'to Figure 4, it will be'seen that the enlargements at the top and bottom sides of the-Wedge block C are spaced an appreciable distance has. the top andbot tom walls of the friction shell section 20,and that the Wedge is guided" between the-flanges projections Will be maintained in spaced re-' lation to the top and bottomuwallsfof the. v

" absorbing mechanism,

the "movement of f It will thus be evident the movable parts of the friction preventingdamage: the top and bottom wallsjofthe' shell by scoring, and-also pro-v tectingithese Walls against vear, greatly prolonging shell. f

Theinain sprin gresistance, comprising the coils J and K, is disposed'within the casing A,

coil J As clearly shown-in Figure 1, the

Wall 19 of thefcasing'lhe outercoil K of the spring resistan'ee'also has ,the rear end thereof .cas'ing,"the front-endof the spring bearing lovver being perforaterhflgas indicated at 38,

to accommodate inner coil of the spring resistance. f 'l he open ngBS is of such a s ze as to permit "of f-mov'ement' of the spring f ol lowe Hash e ts th Coil resistance 'independ'ent of the 7 outer coilyl the same may act independently to restore and: wedge block to normal positionfthereby greatly facilitating the release of the nechanism.

In assembling the parts of shock absorbing mechanism, themain spring resistance comprising the'coils J K,"the springfollower,

friction elements F, are first "placed Within B has been 25 oftheb and' B's'o that thetop and bottom between the outwardly meansare held 'out off i contactat all times with theinactive top and l bottom Walls of the friction shell, thereby =b a r or] coupler 13,

thereby the life of the jtriction inner coil J is of greater length than the outer coil andlhas theoppositeends thereof" be'aringdirectly on the inner ends ofthe enlar'gements of the friction jshoes and the end.

bearing on" the "end Wall 19 of the is interposed betiveen the springandtheinner ends of the movable frictionelements F, the spring fol Inasmuch'as the central coil ofthe 'my improved the liners, and the movable the casing? members gE,

front end of the casing, and the band B telesco'ped' section 20;"v As Will be evident, when p g r forced into position, the top and bottom flanges 25 thereof serve liners, fixed friction" members lihandjthe Wedge block, in assembledposition and 'limit the outward .movement v of these parts. In'the operation of carrying the friction shoes D-Dtherevv ith andforcing the sameaparn'placing the'fric- 7 friction elements F1 under lateral pressure. Inivard movement of the friction shoes D forces the friction elements F tomove invvardlyin unison there with through engagement of the flanges' 33 tion members E and of the friction shoes Withthe' flanges 37 of The relatively fixed friction he friction shoes and the-Wedge" block'are then inserted through the open eXteriorly or the friction shell" the band;

my improved shoclrf assuming a bufiing or": inward force being applied to the follower 15', the 'wedgeblock G Will be forced invvardly,

to -"retain, the

se I

the movable friction elements F. jInward 7 I movement of the movable friction elements is resisted by tne heavy coil'spring'K While 1 inward movement of thefriction s independently resisted by, the lighter inner coil or the spring resistance J. Y When adraftaction isapplied to the draw:

outwardly, thereby pulling the yokew be "P the casing A 'for-' wardly and forcing the Wedge block C- iii--f wardlywith respect to "he same, theopera tion of the mechanism the same as in buff.

In release, when 'duced, the expansive actionof the spring resistance elemonts'J and K Will forcethe his tion shoesand friction elements F outward ly, restoring all ol 't'he parts totheir norm'al position.

being substantiall I s Willbe evident, if exceptional ice the actuating force is re- Y resistance is offered to the movement of the friction elements during the early part of the releasing'actiomthe' inner coil J' ofthe'spring resistan'ce yvill act to force the 'friction shoes" i outwardly, thereby releasing the same and repressure on the iriction members E and friction elements FfWhe're J of the spring resistance 'Will become effective'to restore the-friction lieving the lateral upon the outer coil elements F to their normal position;

I From the precedlng' deseriptlon,v

friction shell or against outward spreading, made of'metal to give the maximum reinforcing' quality thereto an d may be constructed ofallloy steel which is preferably'heat treatec. *Itis nlso pointed out that thereinforcing band,'in'- ad-1 The/band B is dition to reinf ing the friction shell; also serves the important function of holding thetake'n in g connection With-thedrawings, it Will be evidentf'that' rims providedan exceedingly simple and eliicient means'for reinforcing the a shock absorbing mechanismfl ofexceptional'strengthfso'as I ,r

I 765; v.6; In a friction shock absorbinginecha mechanisms, including 7 r I ,shell sectionat the forwardend and a springv fr ction shell section and having retaining parts of the friction systeinassembled and limiting outward 1110V61118I1l3'0f the Wedge member; Y

V W'hile IliaVe herein shown and described what I consider the preferred'manne-r of car- [rying out my invention, the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications Which-come within thescope of the claimsappended hereto;

,1. A shell' for friction shock absorbing a tubular friction casing formed reai'Wa-rdly thereof, and rein-forcing means exteriorly embracing the means thereon overhanging the mouth of the 2. IA shell for friction shock absorbing a spring cage casing mechanisms, including having a friction shell section proper at one 7 endthereof, saidfriction shell section being "ofismaller size eXteriorly than the, spring cage, and a heavy reinforcing band surround- V i the friction shell to reinforce the samei'agains't' spreading,- the re ing and tightly :fitting ,inforcing band corresponding in size exteri Vorly' to the spring casing. .1 V

3. A, shell for vfriction shock absorbing mechanisms, including a casing having relat vely 'heavyside wall portions, said casing being open at one end and the side Wall por- I tions thereof being cut away exterioi'ly at said open end, said cut-away portions of the walls being integral With the remainder of the V casing and forming a friction shell'section proper,;and a reinforcing sleeve embracing said cut-away portion andtightly fitting the same, said sleeve reinforcingfthe friction shell section against spreading.

mechanisms, including a casin of rectangular' cross section, said casing being open at rearwardly of said friction shell I I ing at springcag'e, said fr ction shell SGClSlOIlY one endfthe open end of said casing forming a friction shell section proper and the casing section formbeing integralwith -the spring cage, andoa r inforcing'band of rectangular cross section tightlyjfitting and embracing the sameto i reinforcethe shell againstspreading.

1 nism, the. combination 7 open at one end 'andfprovided with interior I friction-surfaces atsai'd open end; of friction V means friction surfaces f ward movement of the friction means; and a 5. ;I;n a :friction shock absorbing mecha- With ,1 a" friction shell v within. the

shell cooperating with said springvmeans resisting inband telescoped: with the open end'portion ofthe shell and surrounding the; same said band being provided With retaining flanges for holding the 4 friction means assembled with tlieshell. a

tion shell, said band movement thereofand A shell forfriction shock absorbing' surroundingthe friction shell section and 3 tom n isni, the combination with a frictionsh'ell open at one end and having interior friction surfaces at said openend; of frictionmeans Within the shell having frictionalengagement with the shell surfaces; spring resistance member having Wedg means opposinginvvard movement of the friction means a Wedge ing engagement withthe friction means; and

a band telescoped exteriorly 'with the: frie having shouldered enwedge to limit outward hold the same ass'em gagement 1: with the bled withjthe friction shell- 7. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination With a friction shell;

7 of liners within the shell; friction means co-l' operating with the liners; spring resistance means opposing inward movement of the;

frictionmeans; and a band telescoped exteriorly with. the friction shell, said band havnism, the combination with V casing, open at one end, said open end being provided with 1nterior,opposed friction suring shouldered engagement with the liners: to hold the sameasseinbled with thev shell.

8..In a friction shock absorbing mechae a rectangular faces; of movable friction elements engaging against movement longitudinally of the mechanism while being laterallydisplaceable, cooperating with'said movablefrictioii elements; friction shoes having frictional engagement with said members; a pressuretransmitting member having Wedging 'eiic I o gagement with the shoes; and a band s unrounding the friction shell-and fitting the same, said bandihaving shouldered engage-" n ent with thewedge and friction members to limit outward 'movement thereof and hold the same assembled with the friction shell,

shouldered engagement to hold said 'mem bers against inward movement.

9. In a friction shock absorbing mocha ni'sm', the combination with a casing, open at one end thereof, the open end'of s'aid casing section, said friction} shell section being of rectangular cross sec forminga friction shell said friction surfaces; friction members held,

v i and said shell and frict onkmeinbers having V tion and having transverse, interior abut-.

ment shoulders at the inner end thereof; of a band of substantially rectangular cross sec tion telescoped exteriorlywith the friction shell, said band" having transverse flanges, overhanging the open end- 0f the casing; f

liners at opposite sides ofthecasingpresentlng opposed, interior friction surfaces, said liners having top and bottom flanges engaged l of the shell and flanges of the band to holdagainst 1 longitudinal "movement;

between the abutment shoulders movable friction elements cooperating with saidlin- I ers; friction members engaging said movable 7 elements, said members having top and botflangesengaged by said interiorshoul the friction shell and the flanges 'of ders of said liners the'band, to hold said members against longitudinal movement While permitting lateral displacement thereof friction shoes having frictional engagement with the friction 5 members; a block having'wedgin'gengagement with the shoes, said block being enlarged at the inner end, providing transverse shoulders engaging the flanges of the, band to limit outward movement of the block and hold the same assembled With the shell; and spring resistance means within thecasing yieldingly opposing inward move ment of the friction shoes and movable friction elements. V i i g 10. In a friction shock absorbing mecha-' nism, the combination witha casing, open at one end, saidopen end being of rectangular cross section and having spaced side walls and spaced top and bottom walls; of a band of rectangular cross section telescoped exteriorly with the rectangularend of the casing, said band having flanges overhanging the open end of the casing; a pressure-transmitting wedge block, said block being interposed between the flanges of the band and guided thereby to hold the same spaced from the top and bottom walls of the casing; friction shoes cooperating witl 'the wedge member; 'movable friction elements; friction mem- 3o bers engaged by the shoes and interposed between the same and the movable friction elements, said members being held against longitudinal movement with respect to the casing, said members having top and bottom flanges overhanging the friction shoes and movable friction elements" to hold the shoes and movable elements out of contact with the top and bottom Walls of the casing; and liners at opposite sides of the casing, having g frictional engagement with the movable friction elements, the liners having top and bottom flanges between whichthe movable friction elements are guided. r In witness that I claim theforegoing I have Y hereunto subscribed my name this 10th day of May, 1928.

J OHN .F. .OCONNOR. 

